Transformational Power of Prayer

Topic : The Transformational Power of Prayer.

Text: 2 Chronicles 7:11-22, James 5:16

Date: 23-02-2014

Prayer is powerful! Prayer is vital, and prayer is a foundational discipline that is necessary for our growth as a church. The early church gave themselves continually to prayer, and we should do no less. There is so much power in prayers that if we are able to harness the the power in it, it can bring out a tremendous change in our circumstances and situation. The Bible is filled of stories of men and women who prayed and turned the hands of things around. You and I today can experience that transforming power in the place of prayers.

What Is Prayer

Prayer is simply conversation with God. Its asking Him to meet your need or someone else’s. It’s praising Him and thanking Him. It’s about committing things to Him and consecrating things to Him. We need to pray about everything and anything.

For true Christians, prayer [Gk: "proseuche"] is communion with God. Through prayer we actually experience relationship with God. The quality of our prayer life then determines the quality of our relationship with God. Prayer is talking with God. Prayer is listening to God. Prayer is enjoying the presence of God. It can take many forms – for example: worship, confession, thanksgiving, praise, petition (asking for things), waiting (silent, listening and sensing of God) and warfare (command). If we are baptized in the Spirit we can pray with the spirit, in languages unknown to us but not to God. (1 Corinthians 14:2,14).

Prayer is not simply saying words. It is not repeating formulas. God is looking for heartfelt relationship. We are told by Jesus not to make meaningless repetitions of words when we pray. (Mathew 6:7). Tongues may be meaningless to our understanding, but it is not to God.

Prayer is the practice of the presence of God.  It is the place where pride is abandoned, hope is lifted, and supplication is made.  Prayer is the place of admitting our need, of adopting humility, and claiming dependence upon God.  Prayer is the needful practice of the Christian.  Prayer is the exercise of faith and hope.  Prayer is the privilege of touching the heart of the Father through the Son of God, Jesus our Lord

Why must we pray?

1. Prayer changes the one praying because in prayer, you are in the presence of God as you lay before Him your complete self in confession and dependence.  There is nothing to hide when in quiet supplication we are reaching into the deepest part of ourselves and admitting our needs and failures.  In so doing, our hearts are quieted and pride is stripped and we enjoy the presence of God.  James 4:8 says, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."

2. Prayer Holds Us Accountable to One Another. 
Praying makes us responsible to one another, we are encourage to pray for each other. Samuel knew the importance of pray for his people that he declared it was sin on his own part if he did not pray for them

Acts 1:14

3. Prayer Makes Us Available to God

Acts 2:42

What Makes Prayer So Powerful?

The Bible teaches us in James 5:16 that “the earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].” Prayer is passionate. It’s about sincerity of heart and putting your whole heart into it.

Elijah understood the power of dynamic prayer that he prayed and for three and half years there was no rain in the whole of Israel. He prayed again and there was rain. The same Elijah called fire from heaven and it came down and consumed the sacrifice. there is tremendous power in Prayers. Calling on the creator of the universe to intervene in human affairs is a very powerful privilege that we can only enjoy in a prayerful relationship with God.It takes the prayers of a righteous man to turn around situations.